Territorial Affairs

Citizenship Question Won’t Be On 2020 Census In U.S. Territories
SAN JUAN — The U.S. Census Bureau revealed plans Friday to remove a question about citizenship from census forms that will be used for the upcoming head counts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Asked why the change was made, the Census

Protesters Lock Legislators In Community Center As Puerto Rico Braces For Massive Protest
SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico braced early today for what many people expected to be one of the biggest protests ever seen as irate islanders pledged to drive Gov. Ricardo Rosselló from office. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to take over one of the island’s busiest highways this

Laws Banning Gay Sex To Be Challenged In Dominica
ROSEAU — A gay man in Dominica has filed a legal claim challenging its laws that ban gay sex and punish same-sex relations with prison terms and psychiatric confinement,a Canada-based rights group said today. Dominica is one of nine Caribbean countries that outlaw gay sex, and taking down its ban could

Lawsuit: State of Georgia Discriminates Against Puerto Rican Driver’s License Applicants
ATLANTA — A federal lawsuit filed today says Georgia is discriminating against Puerto Rican driver’s license applicants by treating them differently than other U.S. citizen applicants — forcing them to take tests, seizing their documents for fraud reviews and quizzing them on details about the island. The suit was filed

Senator Gittens Extends Emancipation Day And Independence Day Greetings
CHRISTIANSTED — Senator Kenneth Gittens has extended greetings to residents ahead of this week’s Emancipation Day and Independence Day commemorations. “It is my hope everyone remembers the significance of these holidays and the sacrifices made to achieve them as they enjoy attending one of this week’s special events or spending

Aruba To Form Committee To Decide Fate Of Idled Refinery: Prime Minister
ORANJESTAD — The government of Aruba said on Monday it will form an advisory committee to decide the future of a 209,000-barrel-per-day refinery that remains idled amid sanctions on operator Citgo Petroleum’s parent company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes said there are three possible scenarios for the

JFL Officials Meet With Governor Bryan To Discuss Modular Hospital Progress
CHRISTIANSTED — Acting JFL Chief Executive Officer Dyma Williams and staff met with Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. and members of his executive team on Wednesday to discuss successes and ongoing challenges at the Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center. Key to the discussion was JFL’s compromised infrastructure and repairs;

Guyana Businessman Komal Samaroo Tells Congress That Sugar Is A Sweet Business
WASHINGTON — Komal Samaroo, a leading Caribbean business personality, wants the Caribbean region to be better positioned to benefit from its trading relations with the United States through the removal of trade barriers and expanded American investment in the region. Komal Samaroo, chairman of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers

Caribbean Countries Agree To Protect Endangered Largetooth Sawfish
SAN JUAN — The critically endangered largetooth sawfish gained a lifeline as Caribbean countries unanimously agreed to add the species to Annex II of the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol under the Cartagena Convention on World Environment Day Wednesday. Seventeen member governments are thereby obligated to impose strict

Bryan Meets With Assistant Secretary of Insular Affairs, NPS Director On Salt River
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. discussed upgrading the Visitor’s Center at Salt River National Park during a meeting at Government House today with Assistant Secretary of Insular Affairs Douglas Domenech and National Park Service Deputy Director Dan Smith. Bryan said he is reviewing an agreement between the Government